Microsoft pays out $775m to IBM
Microsoft is to pay $775m (£438.4m) to computer giant IBM to settle an anti-trust claim.
Under the settlement, the software maker will also give IBM a $75m credit for its computer programmes
Microsoft Corporation
The world’s number onw software company provides a variety of products and services, including its Windows operating systems and Office software suite. The company has expanded into markets such as video game consoles, interactive television, and Internet access. With its core markets maturing, Microsoft is targeting services for growth, looking to transform its software applications into Web-based services for enterprises and consumers. Microsoft has reached a settlement to end an ongoing antitrust investigation, agreeing to uniformly license its operating systems and allow manufacturers to include competing software with Windows.
Microsoft Corp.
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Phone: 425-882-8080
Fax: 425-936-7329
Microsoft helps China to censor bloggers
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminCivil liberties groups have condemned an arrangement between Microsoft and Chinese authorities to censor the internet.
The American company is helping censors remove “freedom” and “democracy” from the net in China with a software package that prevents bloggers from using these and other politically sensitive words on their websites.
The restrictions, which also include an automated denial of “human rights”, are built into MSN Spaces, a blog service launched in China last month by Shanghai MSN Network Communications Technology, a venture in which Microsoft holds a 50% stake
EU warns on Microsoft behaviour
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminMicrosoft has not done enough to comply with sanctions imposed for breaking European anti-trust rules, the European Commission (EC) has said.
The software giant was censured in 2004 for misusing its monopoly position in desktop PCs to extend its reach into other areas.
The firm agreed to a 497m euro ($660m, £345m) fine and to make its software work better with competitors’ products
Microsoft settles anti-trust case
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminMicrosoft has been given preliminary approval to settle a class-action anti-trust case in Arizona by giving away $105m (£57m) in computer vouchers.
The software giant had been accused of using its monopoly position to over charge for its software.
Under the deal businesses and homes who bought Microsoft products between January 1996 and January 2002 will get vouchers of up to $24 each
Microsoft settles patents case
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminSoftware giant Microsoft has agreed to pay $440m to settle a legal row over its use of anti-piracy patents.
It struck the deal with California based InterTrust Technologies, a maker of software to protect online delivery and payment for films and music.
The agreement comes one week after Microsoft paid $1
Microsoft hit by record EU fine
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminSoftware giant Microsoft must pay a fine of 497m euros ($613m; £331m) for abusing its dominant market position, the European Commission has ordered.
Competition Commissioner Mario Monti also insisted Microsoft must reveal secrets of its Windows software, which sits on 90% of the world’s PCs.
The European Commission approved Microsoft’s punishment on Wednesday
Microsoft facing EU fines
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminSoftware giant Microsoft is facing a heavy fine and swingeing penalties following the breakdown of talks with Brussels over anti-trust action.
European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti is now planning to unveil the draft EU competition ruling against the firm on Wednesday, 24 March.
Both Mr Monti and Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer agreed that commitment over future conduct was the sticking point
EU Anti Competition Investigation
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminMicrosoft could soon be facing multi- billion euro fines and other sanctions for breaking European competition law.
The European Commission has finished drafting its decision in the case it brought against the software giant.
The Commission is likely to decide that the firm illegally tied audio and video software, as well as server systems, to its Windows operating system
Microsoft abandons older Windows
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminThousands of companies and individuals could face security headaches and inconvenience as Microsoft stops selling some of its older products.
It has announced it is withdrawing products such as Windows 98, Windows NT 4 and Outlook 2000.
The decision was made because the programs contain code outlawed under a legal deal with rival Sun Microsystems
Microsoft faces new probe
/0 Comments/in Microsoft Corporation /by ceadminThe US state of Massachusetts is investigating whether the software giant Microsoft has violated its anti-trust settlement with 18 other states.
Massachusetts said it would look at allegations that the company retaliated against a computer maker for promoting the rival operating system, Linux.
In a court filing, the state said that none of the allegations had been resolved and it would “move forward on an enforcement path should its investigations identify provable violations”